Switch means



July 28, 1959 F. J. KRASE ETAL SWITCH MEANS Filed May 22. 1958 UnitedStates Patent Ofitice 2,897,323 Patented July 28, 1959 SWITCH MEANS FredJohn Krase and Edward K. Olendzki, Chicago, 111

assignors to H. K. Porter Company (Delaware), Chrcago, Ill., acorporation of Delaware Application May 22, 1958, Serial No. 737,168

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-146) The present invention relates to high tensionelectric switch gear, and particularly, to improvements in switchassemblies of the type comprising a disconnect switch and an interrupterswitch associated with the disconnect switch for actuation by the bladethereof. The invention constitutes, especially, an improvement on thedisclosure of the co-pending application of Nicholas Polgov and Glen R.Runke, Serial No. 679,201, filed August 20, 1957.

In the said co-pending application of Polgov and Runke, there isdisclosed a high tension switch assembly including a disconnectingswitch having a switch blade that is adapted to be swung in an are formovement into and out of the stationary contact of the switch and thatis also rotatable about its own axis to eifect high pressure engagementwith the contact. Mounted adjacent the stationary contact of thedisconnecting switch is an interrupting switch having an actuator armdisposed in the path of arcuate movement of the disconnecting switchblade for effecting actuation of the interrupter as a consequence of andin predetermined relation to the switch opening and closing movements ofthe disconnecting switch blade. Such assembly is highly advantageous inthat it positively assures interruption of current flow and closing ofthe circuit without the occurrence of external arcing.

However, the described assembly sufiers the disadvantage that someexternal sparking occurs between the disconnect switch blade and theactuator arm of the interrupter due to the difiiculty of maintainingcontinuous commutation between these two relatively rotating parts. Suchexternal sparking, while not critical in an electrical sense, isobjectionable and detracts from the otherwise exemplary functioning ofthe switch assembly.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for mitigatingexternal arcing or sparking in switch gear of the character described.

More particular, it is an object of the present invention to providemeans interposed between the disconnect switch blade and the arm of theinterrupter which affords continuous commutation between relativelyrotatable parts and eliminates external sparking.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means of thecharacter described in the form of improved arcing horn means for thedisconnect switch.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in the assembly ofan interrupter switch and a disconnect switch, of a non-rotatable arcinghorn for the disconnect switch blade, said horn engaging but having norotary movement relative to the actuator of the interrupter switch tomitigate sparking therebetween, and having a journal connection with thedisconnect switch blade affording continuous commutation between the twoto mitigate sparking therebetween.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedarcing horn for the stationary contact of the disconnect switch andimproved means on the actuator of the interrupter switch cooperable withthe areing horn on the disconnect switch blade for positively retainingthe same against rotary movement, thereby further to insure against theoccurrence of external sparkmg.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodimentof the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofmaking and using our improved anti-sparking means, we shall describe, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of ourinvention and a preferred manner of making and using the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a switch assembly comprised of adisconnecting switch and an interrupting switch equipped with theimproved anti-spark horn means of our invention, the assembly beingillustrated in its closed position in solid lines and in severalpositions of movement in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the switch assembly, the view beingtaken from the right-hand end of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale of the improvedarcing horn means provided according to our invention on the disconnectswitch blade;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modified manner ofmounting the horn on the blade;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the improved arcing horn means providedaccording to our invention on the stationary contact of the disconnectswitch; and

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional View of the improved contact assemblyprovided according to our invention on the actuator arm of theinterrupter.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, we have illustrated :a switchassembly comprised of a disconnecting switch D and an interruptingswitch I. The disconnect switch D is of the type shown and described inthe patent to Fjellstedt et al. No. 2,527,924. The switch comprises,generally, a base (not shown) carrying three insulators 12, 14 and 16,the outboard ones of which are stationary and carry terminal lugs 18 and20 and the center one of which is rotatable. The right-hand insulator 12carries the stationary contact 22 of the switch and the left-handinsulator carries the frame 24 of the switch operating mechanism. Thismechanism includes a blade guide or supporting part 26 pivotally mountedon the frame 24, a blade carriage 28 rotatable in the guide, and a crankarm 30 secured to the upper end of the rotatable insulator 14, the arm30 and carriage 28 being rotatably connected at 32 along an axisextending at an angle of approximately 45 to the axis of the insulator14. The switch blade, which is indicated :at 34, is secured adjacent oneend in the carriage 28 and extends therefrom to the stationary contact22, the blade at its outer end being flattened in the form of a beavertail for purposes of high pressure engagement in the contact. As isconventional, the blade 34 and the contact 22 carry cooperable arcinghorns 36 and 38, respectively. However, the particular form of thesehorns, as illustrated and later described, forms part of the presentinvention.

To eifect operation of the disconnect switch, the insulator 14 isrotated about its own axis to impart movement to the switch blade 34.Upon initial rotation of the insulator the blade 34 is subjectedprimarily to rotation around its own axis to relieve its high pressureengagement in the contact 22, whereafter the blade, while continuing torotate, is swung in an arc of approximately about the pivot axis of theguide or supporting part 26 to a substantially vertical switch openposition. During such movement, the insulator 14 is rotated in an aresomewhat greater than 90 and the blade is both rotated about its ownaxis 90 and swung in an arc of approximately 90. Upon reverse rotationof the insulator, the blade is returned to its switch closed position inreverse order.

The interrupt-er .I is disclosed in detail in the aforesaid co-pendingapplication of P-olgov and Runke. Generally, it comprises a columnmounted in an upright position on the stationary contact of thedisconnecting switch, the column forming an interrupting chamber andadjacent its upper end including an actuating mechanism having anexternal oscillatable actuator arm 40 adapted to be engaged-and moved inresponse to movement of the blade 34 of the disconnect switch wherebyinterruption of current flow and disconnection of the circuit may beeffected simply by operating the disconnect switch. In particular, asshown in Figure 1, the path 'of arcuate movement of the blade arcinghorn 36 intersects at .two points the path of oscillation of the freeend of the arm 40. During opening movement of the switch blade 34, thehorn 36 engages the arm 40 whereupon the circuit normally completedthrough the blade 34 and contact 22 is completed from the blade throughthe interrupter to the terminal 18. As movement of the blade toward itsopen position continues, the actuator arm 40 is rotated in the upwarddirection until the blade 34 is sufliciently separated from the contact22 to prevent striking of an arc therebetween. At approximately thispoint, the interrupter is actuated to break the circuit. Thereafter,-due to the differences in length and relative location of the pivotaxes of the blade 34 and arm 40, the actuator arm 40 is released fromthe born 36 as the blade 34 continues to move toward full open position.The arm 40 is then returned automatically to a predetermined position inthe arcuate path of movement of the horn 36.

To reclcse the circuit, the disconnect switch is operated to move theblade 34 toward closed position. During closing movement, the horn 36 onthe blade again engages the actuator arm 40 of the interrupter to movethe same downwardly. As the blade 34 approaches the contact 22, theinterrupter is actuated to remake the previously described circuit. Theborn 36 remains in contact with the actuator arm 40 until the horn 38 isreengaged, whereafter the arm '40 maybe released for automatic return tothe position shown in Figure 1, the circuit then being completeddirectly through the blade 34 and contact 22.

As will be appreciated from the above brief description, theconstruction and cooperation of the two switches D and I is such that noexternal arcing'is intended to occur upon either opening or closing ofthe switches. It is intended that such arcing as may occur will takeplace within the interior of the interrupting chamber of the switch 1.However, it has been found that whena conventional arcing horn isprovided on the disconnect switch blade 34, the relative rotationbetween the horn and the arm 40 of the interrupter results in theoccurrence of external sparking, which is objectionable.

To overcome this disadvantage, 'we provide improved means, preferably inthe form of improved arcing horns for the disconnect switch and animproved contact assembly for the arm 40 of the interrupter, whichmitigate against and etfectively eliminate external sparking or arcingin switch assemblies of the character illustrated.

In particular, we provide an improved arcing horn 36 for the'disconnectingswitch blade .34 comprising an elongate conductive rodhaving a body portion '52 generally parallleling the switch blade 34 andan end portion 54 projecting beyond the .end of the blade 34. At itsinner end, the body portion "52 of the rod is fixedly attached, as bynuts 56, tothe non-rotatable but arcuately movable supporting ,part orguide-26 for theswitch blade, whereby the rod is held against rotationyet is =arcuately movable with the :blade. The outer :end ,portion 54 ofthe "rod is preferably of generally rectangular configuration andincludes a pair of parts or sides 58 and 60 paralleling the blade 34 andspaced respectively above and below the axis of the blade. The two partsor sides 58 and 60 are joined at their outer ends by a transverse part62, and the terminal portion of the rod is bent into axial alignmentwith and extends toward the outer end of the blade 34. At its outer.end, as shown in Figure 3, the blade 34 .is provided with a pair ofbrackets 64 including spaced portions extending transversely of theblade between which a bearing 66 is fixedly mounted, the axis of thebearing coinciding with the axis of the blade. The bearing '66 receivesfor relative rotation therein the terminal end of the horn-forming rod,thereby to support the rod, electrically connect the rod to the blade,and effectively journal the same on the blade. Alternatively, thebearing 66 could be disposed within the blade and the terminal end ofthe rod could be extended through the beaver tail end portion of theblade and journalled in the bearing as illustrated in Figure 4.

By virtue of its mounting, the improved blade arcing horn of ourinvention will mitigate external sparking at or adjacent the blade,since its point or points of current exchange with the blade are withinthe interior of the bearing 66 and within the interior of the supportingpart 26, both of which provide bearing surfaces affording goodcommutation between the respective pairs of relatively rotatable parts.Moreover, the horn is held against rotation 'by the supporting part 26and is therefore adapted to engage the actuator arm 40 of theinterrupter I without occurrence of appreciable relative rotationtherebetween, whereby our improved arcing horn also mitigates externalsparking at this point of current exchange. Accordingly, the blade hornalone may suflice in many instances to prevent external arcing orsparking.

However, there must of necessity be sliding engagement between the bladeborn 36 and the contact horn 38 and between the blade horn and theactuator arm 40 of the interrupter. Also, due to the length of rodnecessary to extend to the supporting part or blade guide '26, the bladeborn 36 will be subject to some side sway, resulting in further relativemovement between the blade horn and the elements engaged thereby. Theserelative movements, while slight, may result in the occurrence of asmall degree of sparking.

To afford complete mitigation against external sparking, we provide animproved contact horn 33 and an improved contact-assembly, indicatedgenerally at 7%, on the free end of the actuator arm 40 of theinterrupter, which horn and assembly cooperate with the blade horn 36 insuch manner as toeliminate entirely the occurrence of external sparking.Also by virtue of these improved means, any disadvantages that wouldotherwise result from side sway or flexing of the blade born 36 areeliminated, thereby to accommodate formation of our improved blade hornin a highly economical manner from lighter stock than would otherwise berequired.

'Our improvedcontact horn 38, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, ispreferably comprised of an integral rod of conductive metal bent to agenerally U-shape, the bight portion 72 of which is bent into agenerally horizontal positionjand clamped by suitable means to theterminal pad -1'8on'whichthejaws of the stationary contact 22aremounted. The two legs 74 and 76 of the rod are inclined upwardly andoutwardly relative to the contact structure to a point beyond the end ofthe disconnect switch blade '34 and approximately intermediate thelength of theend portion 54 of the blade horn 36. These inclinedportions 'of the legs 74 and 76 also converge toward the axis of theswitch blade, and at the said point merge with vertical portions of therespective legs. The vertical portions of the legs are disposed closelyadjacent one another in parallel relation to receive therebetween theparts -or sides 58 and 60 of the end portion 54 of the blade born. Theconverging portions of the legs 74 and 76 serve as a resilient mountingfor the vertical portions of the legs and are so bent that said verticalportions are normally biased to a position in which the spacingtherebetween is less than the diameter of the rod forming the bladehorn, whereby the contact horn resiliently and frictionally engages theparts 58 and 60 of the blade horn. To facilitate entry of the blade hornbetween the legs of the contact horn, the upper ends of the legs of thecontact horn are flared outwardly, as shown in Figure 5.

In use, the cooperating portions of the two horns mitigate againstexternal sparking upon relative sliding movement thereof and prevent theoccurrence of relative rotation therebetween. Specifically, the spacebetween the vertical portions of the contact horn 38 is aligned with theaxis of the blade 34. The terminal part of the blade horn 36 isjournalled on the axis of the blade 34 and the portions 58 and 60thereof which engage between the spaced portions of the horn 38 areoffset from the said journal axis. Accordingly, the said spaced portionsretain the blade horn against rotation, thereby to afiord optimummitigration against sparking between the two horns.

The contact assembly 70 provided on the interrupter actuating arm 40similarly provides spaced portions for the frictional and resilientreception therebetween of the parts 58, 6t and 62 of the blade horn 36,thereby to perform the same function as outlined above and mitigateagainst sparking between the blade horn and the arm 40.

Referring to Figures 2 and 6, the preferred embodiment of the contactassembly 70 is illustrated as comprising a stub shaft 8%) projectinghorizontally from the free end of the arm 40, a pair of opposed cupwashers or contact bells 82 and 84 slidably mounted on the shaft, aspacing ring 86 between the bells, a pair of springs 88 and 98 on theshaft for biasing the bells 82 and 84 toward one another, and aretaining nut 32 threaded on the free end of the shaft. The spacing ring86 is of a thickness less than the diameter of the rod forming the bladeborn 36 and the curvature of the cups or bells 82 and 84 facilitatesentry therebetween of the blade born to force the bells apart, the spacebetween the bells being aligned vertically with the space between thelegs 74 and 76 of the contact horn and the axis of the blade 34 wherebythe bells, in cooperation with the parts 58 and 60 of the blade horn,retain the blade horn against rotation relative thereto,

The remaining feature of our improved means for preventing externalsparking in switch gear of the character described :is that the spacingbetween the parts 58 and 60 of the blade horn 36 is greater than thedistance between the spaced portions of the contact horn 38 and thecontact assembly 7% when the two switches are in their closed positions,thus to insure a mechanically complete electrically conductive paththrough the disconnect switch or the two switches at all times prior tointerruption of the circuit within the interrupter upon opening of theswitches, and at all times subsequent to remaking the circuit within theinterrupter upon closing of the switches.

In use of the apparatus illustrated and described, the electric circuitis normally completed through the blade 34 and stationary contact 22 ofthe disconnecting switch. Upon initial rotation of the insulator 14,high pressure engagement between the blade and contact is relieved. Asthe beaver tail end of the blade separates from the jaws of the contact22, the electric circuit is completed through the blade 34 and the horns36 and 38. During rotary movement of the blade, the horn 36 is retainedagainst rotation by the supporting part or blade guide 26 and by thehorn 38. As the blade moves arcuately upward, the part 58 of the horn 36moves out of the horn 38, and the part 60 remains within the contacthorn until the part 58 seats firmly between the contact bells 82 and 84of the assembly '70. This assembly also holds the born 36 againstrotation, thereby to prevent sparking. Subsequently, the horn 36separates from the horn 38, whereupon the electric circuit is completedthrough the blade 34, the born 36, the assembly 70, the arm 40 and theinterrupter I, without occurrence of any arcing or sparking between thehorns 36 and 38. During continued upward movement of the blade 34, thepart 58 of the horn 36 swings the arm 40 upwardly until the part 60 ofthe horn is suficiently separated from the horn 38 to assure that an arcwill not strike between the two horns. The interrupter is then actuatedto open the circuit, without occurrence of external arcing or sparking,whereafter the parts 58 and 62 of the horn 36 slide through the bells 82and 34 and release the arm 40 for movement back into the path of arcuatemovement of the horn 36, the blade 34 and born 36 continuing theirarcuate movement to a substantially vertical, full open position.

Upon closing movement of the switch blade 34, the part 60 of the born 36is moved into the space between the bells 82 and 84. This occurs withoutsparking, since the interrupter is then in open circuit position. As theblade 34 continues its downward movement, the bells retain the horn 36against rotation as the part 60 of the horn swings the arm 40 downwardlyto actuate the interrupter, whereupon the circuit is remade within theinterior of the interrupter without occurrence of external arcing, thecircuit then being completed through the interrupter, the arm 40, thecontact assembly 70, the horn 36, and the blade 34. Subsequently, theparts 69 and 62 of the born 36 slide through the bells 82 and 84 untilthe part 60 re-engages between the legs 74 and 76 of the horn 38, againwithout sparking, thus to complete the circuit through the disconnectswitch blade and the horns. Thereafter, the arm 40 is released forreturn to its initial position and the blade 34 continues to its fullyclosed position, the engagement of the horns 36 and 38 preventing theoccurrence of external sparking or arcing during this portion of blademovement. Finally, the blade is rotated into high pressure engagementwith the contact 22 to complete the circuit closing operation.

Thus, it is apparent that the improved means of the invention affordsoptimum mitigation of external sparking and appreciably enhances theoperation of the switch assembly. The means employed are economical anddo not in any way detract from the appearance or functioning of theswitches. Accordingly, the objects of the invention have been shown tobe attained in a convenient, practical and economical manner.

While we have described what we regard to be the preferred embodiment ofour invention, it will be appreciated that various changes,rearrangements and modifications may be made therein, and that less thanall of the apparatus of the preferred embodiment of our invention may besatisfactorily employed for the purposes stated, without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In the combination of a disconnect switch having a rotatable andarcuately movable switch blade and an arcuately movable supporting part,and an interrupter switch having an actuator arm actuated in response toarcuate movement of the disconnect switch blade, the improvementcomprising interrupter actuating means fixed to the said supporting partand arcuately movable with the blade for non-rotary engagement with theactuator arm of the interrupter switch.

2. In the combination of a disconnect switch having a rotatable andarcuately movable switch blade and an arcuately movable supporting part,and an interrupter switch having an actuator arm actuated in response toarcuate movement of the disconnect switch blade, the improvementcomprising an elongate arcing horn for the switch blade, said horn beingfixed to said supporting part at one end and being journalled on theouter end portion of said blade at its other end for arcuate movementwith the blade and for non-rotary engagement with the actuator arm ofthe interrupter switch to mitigate external sparking.

3. In a switch assembly comprised of a disconnecting switch having astationary contact and a rotatable and swingable blade movable into andout of the stationary contact, and an interrupting switch having anactuator to be moved in response to the swinging movement of thedisconnecting switch blade, the improvement comprising an arcing hornjournalled on the disconnecting switch blade, an arcing horn on thestationary contact of the disconnecting switch, and a contact assemblyon the actuator of the interrupting switch, said stationary contact hornand said contact assembly including means for frictionally gripping saidblade horn to retain said blade horn against rotation relative thereto,said blade horn actuating the interrupting switch.

4. In a switch assembly comprised of a disconnecting switch having astationary contact and -a rotatable and swingable blade movable into andout of the stationary contact, and an interrupting switch having anactuator to be moved in response to the swinging movement of thedisconnecting switch blade, the improvement comprising an arcing homjournalled on the disconnecting switch blade, an arcing horn on thestationary contact of the disconnecting switch, and a contact assemblyon the actuator of the interrupting switch, said stationary contact hornand said contact assembly having spaced portions for frictionalreception therebeween of said blade horn to retain said blade hornagainst rotation relative thereto,

said blade horn actuating the interrupting switch and ineluding aportion extending transversely of said blade 2 cooperable with saidspaced portions and of a length greater than that necessary to span thedistance between the two sets of said spaced portions in the closedposition of the switches.

5. In a switch assembly comprised of a disconnecting switch having astationary contact and a rotatable and swingable blade movable into andout of the stationary .contact, and an interrupting switch having anactuator to be moved in response to the swinging movement of thedisconnecting switch blade, the improvement comprising an arcing hornjournalled on the disconnecting switch blade, an arcing horn on thestationary contact of the disconnecting switch, and a contact assemblyon the actuator of the interrupting switch, said stationary contact hornand said contact assembly having spaced portions and a swingablesupporting part in which the blade is including spaced portions forfrictionally receiving said blade horn therebetween, and a contactassembly on the free end of the actuator of the interrupting switch,said assembly including spaced portions aligned with the said spacedportions of said stationary arcing horn for frictionally receiving saidblade horn therebetween during opening and closing movements of thedisconnecting switch blade, whereby said blade horn has non-rotaryengagement with the said actuator to actuate the interrupting switchwithout occurrence of external sparking.

7. In a switch assembly comprised of a disconnecting switch having astationary contact, a rotatable and swingable .blade movable into andout of the stationary contact and a swingable supporting part in whichthe blade is .journalled, and an interrupting switch having an actuatorto be moved in response to movement of the disconnecting switch blade,the improvement comprising an elongate arcing horn having a body portiongenerally paralleling the blade of the disconnecting switch and an endportion of generally rectangular configuration, said horn being fixed tothe said supporting part at the inner end of said body portion, said endportion projecting beyond the endof the disconnecting switch blade andbeing journalled at its terminal end on the outer end portion of theblade coaxially therewith, said end portion including parts spaced fromand generally paralleling the disconnecting switch blade above and belowthe axis thereof, an arcing horn on the stationary contact of thedisconnecting switch engaging at least the lower one of said parts ofsaid blade horn in the closed position of the switch, said stationaryarcing horn including spaced portions for frictionally receiving thesaid lower part of said blade horn therebetween, and a contact assemblyon the free end of the actuator of the interrupting switch, saidassembly including spaced portions aligned with said spaced portions ofsaid stationary arcing horn for frictionally receiving therebetween theupper one of said parts of said blade horn during opening movement ofthe disconnecting switch blade and for frictionally receivingtherebetween the lower one of said parts of said blade horn duringclosing movement of the disconnecting switch blade, whereby said bladehorn has non-rotary engagement with said actuator to actuate theinterrupting switch without occurrence of external sparking, thedistance between said parts of said blade horn being greater than thedistance between said stationary horn and said contact assembly in theclosed positions of the switches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,697,153 Owens et a1 Dec. 14, 1954

